Saturday, September 19, 2026
Starting at 7:00pm

How Chefs Think

Hell’s Kitchen chefs Mary Lou Davis and Nikki Hanna start with the same Tom Yum curry paste and identical ingredients before taking two completely different culinary directions. This playful live demo gives guests a front-row look at how creativity, instinct, technique and personality shape the way chefs think.

Featuring Mary Lou Davis & Nikki Hanna, as seen on Hell’s Kitchen

What happens when two chefs start with the exact same ingredients — and completely different instincts?

Chefs Mary Lou Davis and Nikki Hanna begin side by side, building one fresh foundational ingredient. From there, things takes an unexpected turn: armed with the base and identical supporting ingredients, each chef breaks away to create her own dish. What will they create?!

The result is a playful, revealing look at how chefs think — showing how technique, perspective, creativity and personality can transform the same starting point into two entirely different plates. Equal parts demonstration, conversation and surprise, this Mainstage experience gives guests a front-row seat to the creative process in real time.

Chefs appearing on stage

Mary Lou Davis

Chef Mary Lou Davis is an award-winning executive and private chef, culinary consultant, and television personality best known as the fan-favorite runner-up on Hell’s Kitchen Season 19. Known for bold flavors, fearless creativity, and an infectious personality, she blends fine dining with storytelling and pop culture through her immersive culinary brand, Geeks & Grubs, creating memorable experiences that are as fun as they are flavorful.

Nikki Hanna

Chef Nikki Hanna is an Executive Chef and Hell’s Kitchen Season 19 competitor whose cooking blends classical French technique with a deep commitment to sustainability and local ingredients. Drawing inspiration from the farms and producers of New York’s Hudson Valley, she creates refined, seasonal experiences that celebrate responsible sourcing, regional agriculture, and the connection between food, beverage, and community.

Acts appearing on stage

DJ Femme Noir

Eclectic. Electric. Unapologetically Femme Noir.

BACK TO STAGE

A Festival to Taste, Discover, and Celebrate. Come hungry. Come curious. Leave inspired.

wes@startrevolving.com

Henry W. Maier Festival Park
200 N Harbor Drive Milwaukee WI 53202

Saturday, September 19th, 2026
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, September 20th, 2026
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

A Festival to Taste, Discover, and Celebrate. Come hungry. Come curious. Leave inspired.

CONTACT BUY TICKETS

Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee’s lakefront jewel and premier event destination. With its stunning backdrop along Lake Michigan, the park provides a unique sense of place, combining natural beauty with the energy and accessibility of an urban setting.

Website Design By Rockstar Design

Rockstar Design is a MODX Professional Partner